The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has clarified that the Federal Government has not taken a final decision to replace the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) khaki uniform with Adire fabric, following widespread reports that suggested the change had already been approved.
Olawande made the clarification after comments from his appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief triggered reactions and headlines claiming that Adire had been adopted as the new official NYSC uniform. According to the minister, those reports misrepresented his remarks and created the wrong impression about the government’s position on the ongoing NYSC reform process.
In a statement issued shortly after the controversy, the minister explained that Adire and Ankara were only mentioned as examples of proposals being considered as part of wider consultations on reforming the NYSC scheme. He stressed that his comments were never intended as an announcement that any particular fabric had been selected or approved to replace the current khaki uniform.
Olawande said no final decision has been taken on either the fabric or the design of a possible new NYSC uniform. He noted that the government is still evaluating options based on several factors, including professional appearance, national identity, durability, functionality, affordability and the promotion of national pride. According to him, whatever decision is eventually reached will be guided by extensive stakeholder consultations and what best serves the interests of the scheme and the country.
The clarification followed an earlier interview in which the minister appeared to suggest that Adire would replace khaki as part of the reforms. Responding to a question about whether the proposed new uniform would be produced locally, Olawande had said, “It’s Adire,” while highlighting the need to support local textile production and keep government spending within the Nigerian economy. That comment quickly sparked reports and public debate over whether the Federal Government had already dumped the iconic khaki uniform associated with the NYSC for decades.
However, the minister has now urged Nigerians not to allow the conversation around the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader reforms being planned for the NYSC. He said the wider reform agenda is aimed at making the scheme more relevant to present-day realities by improving graduate employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery and creating a smoother transition from education into productive careers.
The NYSC reform conversation has gained attention in recent days following Federal Executive Council discussions around the future of the scheme. Among the proposals being considered are skill-based deployment of corps members and operational changes intended to reposition the programme for national development.
While the possibility of a new uniform has generated strong public interest, Olawande insisted that no official approval has been given for Adire or any other fabric at this stage.
For now, the Federal Government’s position remains that the traditional NYSC khaki uniform is still in place, and any change to it will only be announced after consultations are concluded and a final decision is taken.